Getting to know dogs and their needs
GETTING TO KNOW DOGS
AND THEIR NEEDS
AND THEIR NEEDS
1
Dogs do not choose
their food according
to taste but
according to smell.
their food according
to taste but
according to smell.
2
Food reaches
the stomach
in large amounts.
the stomach
in large amounts.
3
Digestion is fast
and non-absorbed food
is passed out in the faeces
in large amounts.
and non-absorbed food
is passed out in the faeces
in large amounts.
A
42 teeth, with 12 incisors, 4 fangs and 26 carnassials
B
A highly developed sense of smell
C
With very few taste buds, dogs are not specialists in taste.
D
Powerful jaws that are able to cut, but not able to chew
E
Few digestive enzymes in canine saliva (no pre-digestion)
F
Transit in the large intestine (or colon) is very slow, despite being short (20 to 80 cm). The quantity and diversity of intestinal flora in dogs are less than in humans, which is why varied diets do not suit dogs.
G
A dog's stomach has a very large volume, up to 8 litres for very large dogs (well adapted for large meals). The acidity of a dog's stomach is much greater than that of a human. This aids the digestion of bones and helps to fight against harmful bacteria that are sometimes ingested.
H
The length of the small intestine varies from between 2 and 6 m, depending on the size of the dog. The duration of the transit is just 2 hours.
